BINGLEY Bees bounced back from a heavy defeat the previous week to triumph 2-1 at home to City of York Fifths and gain three valuable points in their fight to avoid relegation.

Both teams started brightly at Bradford Grammar School but it was not until the 33rd minute that York broke the deadlock with a powerful shot from an acute angle.

Bees skipper Ben Clough once again had to give a strong half-time team talk to get the required response but the second period began as the first half had ended, with strong midfield play from both sides.

Michael Crawshaw levelled the scores following a good run and well-struck shot from much the same angle as York – and seven minutes later, the Bees took the lead when Stephen Booth deflected the ball goalwards from a formidable cross.

The hosts could easily have had more goals but the York keeper made many fine saves against much-improved opponents.

The Bees are still in the second Yorkshire Division Four North relegation berth but have two games in hand on third-bottom York University Thirds. Both teams have an identical goal difference but the students are ahead because they have scored 29 goals to Bingley's 28.

Only five points separate the five teams from Bingley Bees up to City of York in eighth.

However, the outlook for Bingley Bees in the Yorkshire Women's Premier Division looks more bleak as they are seven points from safety in second from bottom, their latest setback being 5-0 at lower mid-table side University of Leeds Thirds.

The Bees' women's second team drew 2-2 with fellow relegation candidates Bradford at Bradford Grammar School in Division Four.

It was a very watchable contest and visitors Bradford took the lead, Bingley Bees being unable to take advantage of a number of penalty-corner opportunities after good forward attacks involving Maddy Silberberg and Cath Wood.

Bradford made it 2-0 after 15 minutes but it was 2-2 by half-time as Silberberg and Sian Porter struck back.

Injury meant that Porter had to remain on the bench for the second half but Silberberg again took up the attacking mantle to be player of the match, although there were no further goals.

Both teams remain five points adrift of safety with matches running out.